Germon: 'Williams won't play for Canterbury'
Mon, 31 Dec 2007 10:58
Lee Germon, the out-going boss of the Tasman Makos, has insisted that All Black lock Ali Williams, the Air New Zealand (ANZ) Cup side's latest big signing, will not be wearing a Canterbury jersey in 2008. Williams's ever actually playing for Tasman was publicly questioned following fellow Tasman signing and All black Rico Gear ditched the province earlier this year to join Canterbury. However, according to Germon, Williams, who signed with Tasman shortly before leaving for the World Cup in order to swap Super 14 franchises from the Blues to the Crusaders, will not been seen wearing a Canterbury jersey while contracted to the province. "He is contracted to us and if he was to go to some other union, it would have to be with our agreement," Germon told Xtramsn.co.nz. "There is no chance whatsoever that Brad Thorn and Ali will play in a Canterbury jersey. It is important those things are known." However Germon, who will take charge of Canterbury cricket in 2008, said that Williams could join Auckland after it was confirmed that the lock was looking at the possibility of being loaned to the ANZ Cup champions. This appears unlikely to happen though, given that the Auckland Rugby Union are not happy that Williams opted to leave the Blues. "Ali is reasonably keen to play for us or potentially to play for Auckland. But I don't know if that is going to work," Germon said. "However I hope to see him in a Makos jersey when I am sitting in my lounge watching [the 2008 ANZ Cup]." However, should Williams wear a Tasman jersey in 2008, his appearances are likely to be limited. "I believe that the All Blacks will only be available from round 10 onwards," Germon said. "At the moment we are gearing up to hopefully have him for two or three matches." Germon, who is set to end a two and a half year association with the Tasman union in the first quarter of 2008, also spoke out regarding the sustainability of the ANZ Cup as a 14-team competition. "I think New Zealand rugby and the unions need to look at," he said. "That is what came out of our CEO's and chairman's meeting. There will be a summit early in the new year and they will pretty much start with a blank canvas at what is in the best interests of New Zealand rugby. "I think there is a question mark definitely over that."
